Beat LA: D-backs have longest winning streak against Dodgers in 4 years
Apr 23, 2017, 10:44 AM
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Any Diamondbacks player will say that every win is just as important as any other, no matter who the opponent. For Diamondbacks fans, beating the Dodgers is always a little sweeter.
The D-backs have won four consecutive games against the Dodgers for the first time in four years, following another run-filled victory. They scored 11 runs on Saturday night, which immediately followed their 13-5 blowout against the same team the day before.
Just as quickly as the offense had stalled against the Padres earlier in the week, it started back up just as fast in Arizona’s return to Chase Field, demonstrated by a lead off home run by A.J. Pollock on Friday.
With their fourth straight win against the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks have their longest winning streak against the Blue Crew since taking five games in a row from April 14 through June 10, 2013.
A lot has changed for the Valley’s squad since that run four years ago, most noticeably on the pitching staff.
Trevor Cahill and Wade Miley each started a pair of games during that run, with Miley going up against Clayton Kershaw the last couple of games. Cahill is on his third team since 2013, now with the Padres, while the same goes for Miley, who is currently pitching for the Orioles.
Heath Bell, who played his last game in 2014, earned the save in the last three games of that D-backs’ streak.
The only constant it seems from then to now has been America’s First Baseman, Paul Goldschmidt. In that five-game span, he was the main reason for any sort of run support, going 10-for-19 (.526) at the plate and tallying 11 RBI. Outfielder A.J. Pollock also chipped in a few hits during that run.
Arizona finished the 2013 season 81-81, missing the playoffs by nine games.
Entering Sunday’s game looking for a sweep, the Diamondbacks are 12-7, tied for the most wins in the MLB.
The other starter for the D-backs in that five-game span is actually slated to pitch against them on Sunday, as Brandon McCarthy will take on Shelby Miller.